NSW Environmental Management Guidelines

Protect the environment and operate more sustainably for future generations

About NSW Environmental Management Guidelines

The NSW Government’s Environmental Management System Guidelines were developed to facilitate the achievement of improved environmental performance by the construction industry. They’re designed to assist agencies, customers, and service providers with the implementation of systematic environmental management that ensures better performance in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Government Procurement Policy, including the Code of Practice for Procurement.

Creating an Acceptable Environmental Management System (EMS)

The guidelines state that any business wishing to work on projects and considered to be ‘environmentally sensitive’ must have an acceptable EMS in place.

All service providers undertaking construction related projects are to prepare and implement an appropriate site-specific Environmental Management Plan, in accordance with the Guidelines, for all projects prior to the commencement of relevant work.

An acceptable Environmental Management Plan is to be submitted to the agency before the relevant work commences and will be reviewed regularly for conformity with requirements of the project.
Agencies may also require potential contractors to have a certified EMS lower valued, high risk and specialist contracts if the agency deems there is ‘sufficient’ risk to the environment.

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Focus of NSW EMS Guidelines

Evidence must be provided in order for an Environmental Management System to be accepted; examples of this evidence include:

  • Specify the minimum EMS standards for all government construction projects
  • Provide a consistent approach to plan and implement environmental management systems
  • Improve environmental outcomes on projects
  • Demonstrate compliance with applicable environmental laws and Standards

Benefits of NSW EMS

  • Controlling and improving environmental performance
  • Improved organisational image and differentiation from competitors and peers
  • Improved relations with stakeholders
  • Better development and transfer of knowledge and technology
  • Reduced insurance premiums
  • Earlier access to emerging markets for both new products and by-products
  • Improved control over liabilities, leading to greater access to capital
  • Improved performance resulting in staying ahead of the competition
  • Avoiding unnecessary involvement with regulators
  • Reducing negative perceptions about the organisation in the community

Note: This program is not accredited by JAS-ANZ.

Certification Process

Certification involves GCC assessing your organisation in order to ascertain that management systems meet the requirements of one or more recognised standards. Becoming certified to a nationally or internationally recognised standard is of great benefit to an organization. It improves overall performance, builds confidence within stakeholder groups and broadens the scope of new opportunity.

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NSW EMS – Environmental Management Systems Guidelines